drill out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drill out of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of removing something by drilling, often in a mechanical or construction context. Example: "To fix the broken bolt, we need to drill out of the old one before replacing it with a new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Q. Sure, but the argument is that we should focus on the demand side of the equation and that we cannot drill out of this problem.

The New York Times

The columns of glacier water reminded me of the core samples that climate scientists drill out of the deep ice, which likewise function as a sort of library or memory, recording altered states and weathers, sometimes over many centuries.

The Guardian - Arts

Herbert will drill out of the ice.

WikiHow

I still can't get the sound of that drill out of my head, let alone the images of Raven and Abbie on that bloody table inside the mountain's chamber of horrors.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It will drill out samples of rock and deliver scoops of Martian soil to miniature laboratories for analysis.

The Guardian

These will be able to work out the mineral composition of samples drilled out by a rock-corer.

The Economist

But as the glacier grinds slowly over the lake, small amounts of lake water freeze onto the bottom of the ice sheet--and scientists have drilled out samples of this ice and scoured it for signs of life.

Science Magazine

This will take some practice and some patience to get it right, but it's possible if you start by drilling out several of the holes on different sides of the die, using a thin drill bit.

WikiHow

(We make slice chambers by drilling out the bottom of a portion of a 24-well tissue culture plate and supergluing fine nylon mesh on the bottom).

Biological Procedures Online

True, the Gulf of Mexico's easily found hydrocarbons were drilled out years ago, but plenty of new and large fields exist.

Forbes

The "you know"s should have been drilled out of her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drill out of" to describe a physical process, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed and from what material. For example, "drill the broken screw out of the metal frame" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "drill out of" metaphorically if the image of drilling doesn't logically connect to the intended meaning. Opt for clearer alternatives like "escape" or "resolve" when the context is abstract.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drill out of" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of removing something from a material using a drill. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples of its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "drill out of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the action of removing something by drilling. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, especially in news, media and science. While primarily denoting a physical process, "drill out of" can also metaphorically imply escaping a problematic situation. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the object being extracted and the material from which it is being removed. Alternative phrases such as "extract from" or "bore out of" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extract from

Focuses on taking something out, often with care or precision, differing in its broader applicability beyond physical drilling.

bore out of

Emphasizes creating a hole to remove something, closely related to drilling but can imply a different method or scale.

remove from

General term for taking something away; less specific than drilling and applies to a wider range of situations.

excavate from

Suggests digging or uncovering something, suitable when the removal involves more extensive digging than just drilling.

withdraw from

Implies backing out or retracting, appropriate when the drilling is part of a larger process of removal or disengagement.

escape from

Indicates avoiding a situation, applicable when "drilling out" is used metaphorically for escaping a problem.

extract oneself from

Focuses on personal removal from a difficult situation, shifting the focus to self-extraction.

absent oneself from

Signifies deliberate non-attendance or withdrawal, suitable if the "drilling" implies avoiding something.

dig oneself out of

Emphasizes effortful extraction from a difficult situation, often used metaphorically for overcoming problems.

free oneself from

Highlights the act of becoming free from constraint, applicable when the drilling is a means of achieving liberation.

FAQs

How can I use "drill out of" in a sentence?

The phrase "drill out of" describes the action of using a drill to remove something from a material or a space. For example: "The dentist had to drill the filling out of my tooth."

What are some alternatives to "drill out of"?

Depending on the context, you could use "extract from", "bore out of", or "remove from" as alternatives to "drill out of".

Is it correct to use "drill out of" in a metaphorical sense?

While primarily used for physical drilling, "drill out of" can be used metaphorically to describe escaping a problem, though clarity is crucial. Using "escape from" or "dig oneself out of" might be more suitable for metaphorical contexts.

What's the difference between "drill out of" and "drill into"?

"Drill out of" refers to removing something by drilling, whereas "drill into" means creating a hole or penetrating something with a drill. The direction of the action and the outcome are different.